1
as in to bewilder
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
the similar-sounding words "censure" and "censor" often confuse people
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to complicate
to make (something) unclear to the understanding
stop confusing the issue with irrelevant facts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to mistake
to fail to differentiate (a thing) from something similar or related
a lot of people confuse popular fame with enduring achievement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to embarrass
to throw into a state of self-conscious distress
she was confused by the shocking bluntness of his marriage proposal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to disrupt
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
vandals had hopelessly confused the papers in the office files
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of confuse
Many people also confuse dry scalp with dandruff, which is typically linked to excess oil or yeast.
—
Iman Balagam, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2026
The Tallarook Hilltop Tiny House 1 was designed by Australia's Build Tiny – not to be confused with the Kiwi firm of the same name.
—New Atlas, 8 Jan. 2026
And frankly, Cucinelli was confused.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 8 Jan. 2026
The Ferry Landing Associates sub-lease for the Maiden Coronado restaurant is not to be confused with a separate, contentious contract dispute between the larger Coronado Ferry Landing center and the San Diego Unified Port District.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for confuse
Iman Balagam, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2026
The Tallarook Hilltop Tiny House 1 was designed by Australia's Build Tiny – not to be confused with the Kiwi firm of the same name.
—New Atlas, 8 Jan. 2026
And frankly, Cucinelli was confused.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 8 Jan. 2026
The Ferry Landing Associates sub-lease for the Maiden Coronado restaurant is not to be confused with a separate, contentious contract dispute between the larger Coronado Ferry Landing center and the San Diego Unified Port District.
—Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for confuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confuse
Verb
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But unlike his Sophoclean namesake, Orestes is bewildered by this escalation and refuses.—
Rachel Vorona Cote,
The Atlantic,
5 Jan. 2026
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In April, the president was among those bewildered by his fall.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
27 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Elhawary acknowledged the billionaire tax proposal is a complicating factor in discussions about taxes, which is already a politically fraught issue.—
Nicole Nixon,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
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Mental advocates pointed to one misunderstood aspect of a serious mental illness, which complicates ideas of patient autonomy and choice.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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There could be no mistaking that this was a significant mismatch.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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Further investigation revealed that the victim was on board a northbound train, mistaking it for a southbound train.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The report reiterated concerns about seven situations, two of which have been on the list since 2007, including the bureaucracy’s chronic inability to successfully employ information technology — embarrassing for a state that is the global center for digital tools.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
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The report reiterated concerns about seven situations, two of which have been on the list since 2007, including the bureaucracy’s chronic inability to successfully employ information technology — embarrassing for a state that is the global center for digital tools.—
Dan Walters,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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According to the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Future of Jobs Report, employers estimate that 39% of core skills — such as problem-solving and communication — will be disrupted by 2030, with 40% of firms planning to reduce their workforce specifically due to AI automation.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
13 Jan. 2026
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Both claim that new jobs and addressing the threat of being eclipsed by other nations offsets the risk of data centers damaging the environment and disrupting people’s lives.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Gargantuan boulders, twisted spiky trees, and vibrant sunset colors form an arid landscape that has perplexed and inspired creative titans like Jim Morrison and Gram Parsons for years.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
14 Jan. 2026
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The disjunction between the abstract composition and the notion of self-portraiture appeared perplexing in its own right; its inoperability only exacerbated the viewer’s frustration and redoubled the artist’s impish provocation.—
Ara H. Merjian,
Artforum,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
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About Modern Work Spaces Hackl says that efficient workflows are still the primary goal, but the concept has changed in a way that blurs the lines of the classic three-sided shape.—
Kristina McGuirk,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
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Their guests are capitalizing on the clout economy, where the line between influencer and entrepreneur is blurred and attention is the most valuable asset.—
Julia Black,
Vanity Fair,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In the first half the Horned Frogs were successful in flustering the freshman.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Jan. 2026
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The run-in may have been awkward on-screen, but Franceschini wasn't flustered.—
Colleen Kratofil,
PEOPLE,
19 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Confuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confuse. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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